Martinborough’s Mark Langlands will contest the national final of the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year next Tuesday.
Langlands is one of five regional finalists, described by national co-ordinator Nicky Grandorge as “all strong candidates with great viticultural knowledge and a real passion for the industry”.
The main day of questions and challenges will be on Tuesday, August 23 at Villa Maria, Marlborough.
“It’s a tough day for the contestants and they have all been studying hard over the last few weeks.” says Nicky Grandorge, the National Co-ordinator of the competition.
“The National Final is quite a step up from the regional competitions so the winner really deserves to take home the trophy and title of Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year. It also prepares them well for the Young Horticulturist competition in November.”
Other finalists hail from Auckland, central Otago, Hawkes Bay and Marlborough.
The competition includes a hortisports race, a quickfire buzzer round and speeches.
The national winner takes away a $5000 AGMARDT travel scholarship, use of a Hyundai Santa Fe for a year, $2000 cash, wine glasses and a leadership week where they meet some of the top leaders in the New Zealand wine industry.